SPRING BRANCH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

DANCE TEAM CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION

The names of dance team organizations of Spring Branch Independent School District shall be: The Memorial
Markettes, The Northbrook Bandoleras, The Spring Woods Tigerettes, and The Stratford Spartanaires.  The
organizations shall wear the traditional school colors of red and white, maroon and gray, black and gold, and
green, gold and white respectively.

Members of the dance team must meet all standards set forth in this constitution and the SBISD Student Code of
Conduct. It is the policy of the dance teams in Spring Branch Independent School District not to discriminate on
the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to its programs and
activities.

ARTICLE II OBJECTIVES

A. To develop and refine character, scholarship, leadership and individual responsibility;

B. To develop and maintain a very high standard of technical and creative dance;
C. To promote school spirit and good sportsmanship;
D. To represent SBISD at school functions and events, on and off campus;
E. To promote interest in all school activities;
F. To create and maintain positive relations between our dance teams

ARTICLE III LINE MEMBERSHIP    

A. Application
- Active Participant is a current member of the dance team. All active members must audition each year for a
place on the dance team for the next school year.
- Candidate Member is a student who will audition for first year dance team membership.

1. Active participants and candidate members must be entering grades 10-12.

2. Any student who is ineligible as per the “no pass no play” rule will be considered ineligible to audition.
3. Active participants and candidate members may not have been assigned to DAEP at any time or have been
assigned to ISS/OSS two or more times during the current school year.
4. Active participants and candidate members must not have a “U” and no more than one “N” in conduct for
the official grade reporting period prior to auditions. An official report card must be attached to the
application.
5. Active participants and candidate members and their parents/guardians must attend a meeting for an
explanation of the time, energy, expectations and expenses of dance team membership. (Expenses are held
to a minimum so that all candidates are able to try out for membership. A student not able to meet the
financial obligations should consult with the director.)
6. A completed application and a signed parent/guardian permission form are returned only to the director by
the specified deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.
7. Current members must be clear of any dance team financial responsibility with their school and/or booster
club accounts before application can be accepted for auditions.

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B. Audition and Selection Process
It is the responsibility of the active participant and candidate member to be aware of all announcements and
posted notices regarding audition dates and the official grade reporting period that will be used to determine
eligibility for auditions.
1. Auditions are held on a date designated by the director. Auditions occur once a year.
2. Active participants and candidate members are rated by a panel of three judges selected in advance by the
director.
3. Active participants and candidates will be judged in criteria selected by the director.
4. The decision of the judges is final and is announced as soon as possible.
5. Auditions are closed to the public.
6. The term of a team member begins on the day the member’s name is officially accepted and continues until
that membership is officially terminated, or upon graduation or transfer.
7. A new member who is ineligible twice after tryouts before the end of the current school year will be
removed from the team for the next school year.

ARTICLE IV ACTIVE PARTICIPANT MEMBERSHIP

A. Entering grades 10 through 12

B. Able to execute specific dance techniques at all performances;
C. Submit a signed Physical Form completed by a physician and dated after April 1st of the current school year;
D. All students must adhere to the “no pass no play” academic eligibility standards;
E. Follow all guidelines set forth in the SBISD Code of Conduct and the SBISD Dance Team Constitution.

ARTICLE V UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

The school will furnish the dance team performance uniforms and props. The props are to remain at school
unless checked out by the director. Each member is held responsible for the care and return of members’
uniform and props. The member will pay for any damaged uniform or prop, or any uniform not cleaned at the
end of the school year. Dance attire and other accessories, and any other items designated by the director, must
be purchased by the members.

A. Attire
1. Dance team uniform/performance attire must be kept clean and in good condition.
2. Dance team performance attire may not be worn other than when specified the director.
3. Dance team practice/performance attire will only be distributed to members who have paid in full.
4. Attire specified by the director is required to participate in any dance team rehearsal or performance.
5. All required dance team attire may only be worn by the current member.
6. Any member who is dismissed or resigns from the team is required to return all school issued uniforms and
accessories within seven school days. Failure to comply with this directive will place student on the “not
clear” list on the campus.

B. Equipment
1. All school property issued to any dance team member will be kept in good condition and returned to the
director as it was originally issued. Replacement costs will be at the expense of the member.

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ARTICLE VI RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Attendance
1. Dance team programs practice, perform and compete during the entire school year and attend
rehearsals/camps during selected summer months.  
2. All members are required to attend all summer camps/rehearsals/performances set by the Director. Any
absence from summer camp will result in being benched from the first two football games.
3. All members, if eligible, are required to attend all performances scheduled by the director.
4. Absence from any dance team activity is unexcused except for the circumstances listed: personal illness or
accident, death in the family or a prearranged special activity with director approval.
5. Any member absent from school or a performance is responsible for contacting another member to obtain
all information given to the team during the absence.
6. A member who is not performing must be in attendance and in appropriate attire at all practices and
performances with the team.
7. Team members who have intermittent conflicts with other SBISD sponsored activities are eligible to perform
with prior permission from the director. Notice must be provided to the director with a minimum of seven
calendar days before the day of absence.
8. Any absence from practice may result in the removal from a performance.

B. Performance Seasons
Dance team performance seasons consist of: football, contest, spring show, and special community
performances throughout the year. Each season may have variances between guidelines which will be provided
by the director. The following guidelines will be adhered to for all seasons:

1. Members must remain at all activities for the duration of the event.
2. Members must ride the bus to and from any team event. In the event of an extenuating circumstance which
prevents the student from riding the bus, a request and appropriate forms must be submitted to the
director five days prior to the event.
3. Auditions may be held for each performance. The date and time will be designated by the director.
4. Members who do not make the performance auditions will be an alternate. Alternates must attend and
participate in all practices and functions.
5. Any member unable to dance for an extended period of time must attend all practices, performances or
activities (unless specified by the director). Failure to attend will result in demerits and/or possible dismissal
from the team. A doctor's note is required after three consecutive days of non-participation.

C. Expenses
1. Projects for financing this organization will be sponsored throughout the school year.
2. If a check is returned due to “insufficient funds” once, the remainder of all payments and all returned fees
must be made in cash or money order.
3. If a member is dismissed or no longer going to be a part of the dance team the member is still responsible
for all monies owed.
4. All monies paid towards the dance team are non-refundable.
5. All monies pertaining to fundraising are non-refundable.

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ARTICLE VII AUDITION PROCEDURES – DANCE & SOCIAL OFFICERS

A. Application
1. Officer candidates must be active team members and have a minimum of one year experience on that
school’s dance team.
2. Officer candidates must be passing all subjects in the grading period prior to auditions.
3. Academic, financial and discipline requirements must be in good standing as defined by the director.
4. The number of officers and positions will be allocated at the discretion of the director.
5. Officer candidates must have filed the appropriate application of intent form and must have met all
deadlines set by the director.

B. Audition
1. It is the responsibility of the officer candidate to be aware of all announcements and posted notices
regarding audition dates and the official grade reporting period that will be used to determine eligibility for
auditions.
2. Officer candidates must try out on the date designated by the director. Auditions occur only at the
designated time. Requests for second auditions will not be granted.
3. Officer candidates are rated by a panel of three judges selected in advance by the director.
4. Selection criteria will be determined by the director.
5. The decision of the judges is final and is announced as soon as possible.
6. Auditions are closed to the public.

C. Responsibilities
1. Officers must comply with all guidelines that apply to dance team members.
2. Officers are required to attend an officer camp designated by the director. If an officer does not attend
officer camp, they will be moved to line member status.
3. Each director will determine to duties of the officers.
4. All officers will be required to perform all officer responsibilities and be present at all practices, meetings,
performances and functions. Failure to complete the duties will result in being moved to line member status
after consultation with parents, directors and principals.

ARTICLE VIII MANAGERS

A. Objective – Managers will support the director with organization duties and record keeping.
B. Managers will be optional for each individual school and the selection criteria will be set by the director.
C. Selection of managers will be held on a date designated by the director.
D. Each director will determine the membership number and duties of the managers.
E. Each member will complete all duties of a manager as specified by the director. Failure to complete the
duties will result in dismissal as a manager after consultation with parents, directors and principals.

ARTICLE IX DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM

A. Electronic Media
Any dance team member representing themselves, or their organization, in an unfavorable, questionable or
illegal manner through electronic media (i.e. social media accounts, text/group messaging, websites, blogs, text
messages, chat rooms or similar websites/files accessible through a server or internet) or using electronic
communication devices in such a way as to bring discredit, dishonor, or disgrace on their organization or
members of any other school organization including themselves (i.e. camera phones, digital photos, electronic

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descriptions) will be subject to the disciplinary actions determined by appropriate school officials and/or the
directors including probation or dismissal from the team.

B. Disciplinary Expectations
1. Members who participate in any SBISD Dance Team will comply with the following documents and
procedures at all times:
a. SBISD Dance Team Constitution
b. SBISD Student Code of Conduct
c. Directives given by the dance team director- written or verbal
2. Members who do not comply with the above documents/directives will result in the issue of one or more of
the following: demerits, probation, suspension, and/or loss of membership for the remainder of the school
year.
3. Repeated violations of school policy will be subject to dismissal from the team based upon the
recommendation of the director and school administration.

C. Demerit/Merit Systems
Each director will provide the members with a written set of expectations for the demerit and merit system in
the appendix of the constitution.

ARTICLE X LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP

A. Definitions
- Probation: defined as a member will not be able to perform in any performance of the dance team BUT
must attend all practices, fundraising events, and meetings.
- Loss of Membership: defined as a member who will not be permitted participation in any activity of the
dance team for the remainder of the school year. A dismissed member must turn in their performing
uniform(s) and any other issued items. The student will be removed from the dance team class and placed
into the appropriate class/subject with the guidance of the counseling center.  
- Forfeiture of Membership: defined as a member who voluntarily forfeits their membership on the team

B. Loss of Membership
1. Any member who makes below 70% in any non UIL exempt course in a 9 weeks report card will be placed on
probation for the next three weeks. (Exception: first eligibility check due to UIL on the first 6 weeks progress
report.) The probation period begins as indicated by the UIL eligibility calendar.
2. Any member who is ineligible for any two 9 week report cards, or the first 6 week progress report check, will
be dismissed from the team for the remainder of the school year.
3. Any member who receives a "U" in conduct from any teacher will be dismissed from the team for the
remainder of the year. Any member who receives more than one "N" in a school year will not be allowed to
letter.
4. Any member who is dismissed or resigns from the team during a school year and is eligible to audition for
the team for the upcoming school year will only receive privileges given to a first year member
5. Any member leaving the team for any reason will remain out for the remainder of the school year.
6. Any member assigned to ISS/OSS will be placed on probation from participation in all team performances for
15 school days starting on the first day of the ISS/OSS assignment. Students on probation must be in
attendance for rehearsals. Any member assigned to ISS/OSS for a second time in the same school year will
result in dismissal from the team. Receiving ISS/OSS twice makes a student ineligible to audition for team
membership for the upcoming school year.
7. Any member who receives a second probationary offense will be removed from the dance team for the
remainder of the school year. The student will be removed from the dance team class and placed into the
appropriate class/subject with the guidance of the counseling center.
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C. AUTOMATIC DISMISSAL from Dance Team
1. Possession/use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol on campus or at any dance team function.
2. Any infraction that results in placement at the District Alternative Education Center and/or OR participates
in district mandated counseling. The student will not be allowed to audition for team membership for the
upcoming year.
3. Bullying or hazing
a. This includes any member who organizes or participates in a hazing incident.
b. Any assumption of authority by a student whereby another student suffers or is exposed to any
cruelty, intimidation, humiliation, embarrassment, hardship, oppression, or is required to perform
exercises to excess, to become sleep deprived, to commit dangerous activities, to curry favor from
those in power, to submit to physical assaults, to consume offensive foods or alcohol, or the threat
of bodily harm or death, or the deprivation or abridgement of any right. (Section 484 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 [51 U.S.C. 20 U.S.C. 1091])

D. Alcohol/Drugs (Off Campus Incidents)

1. First offense – alcohol/drug use at events or activities where drug/alcohol use is occurring, including, but not
limited to:  M.I.P, P.I., D.U.I, removal of outside school, non-dance team related functions, etc. will result in a
six week probation (20% of the year).  During probation, the member is not allowed to participate in any
dance events/performances, but attendance for performances and practices is mandatory.
2. Second offense – dismissal from the team.
3. Dance and social officers who are placed on probation for alcohol/drug related incidents will automatically
be removed of their office.
4. In addition, a dance team member may be dismissed from the team, as determined by administration and
the director(s), if found guilty of any of the following:
a. Using undesirable language or unacceptable behavior (as judged by the director(s))
b. Defacing of property
c. Fighting
d. Being suspended, being expelled, or being assigned homebound instruction.

ARTICLE XI SCHOOL SPECIFIC APPENDIX

Each school will have an individual appendix for merits/demerits and other miscellaneous policies specific to
each program.

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 Memorial High School Markettes

Appendix A

Article I
Demerit System - Line Members

1-10 No penalty
Demerits

11 Demerits Probation - sit out 6 performances Attend all practices/events in full

performance attire
Sit out designated performances

15 Demerits Dismissal from team for the remainder of the

school year

1. A record of demerits/merits received by each member will be maintained by the director.

2. Demerits received during summer rehearsals/activities will not be part of the permanent record and will
be worked off prior to the start of the first official school day. Any demerit not worked off by the first
day of school will be added to the student’s permanent demerit record for the school year.
3. Starting on the first official school day, demerits/merits received will remain on record until the end of
the current school year.
4. At the end of each practice, if a member received a demerit they will sign for the demerit before the end
of the class period.
5. If a member receives a demerit not only will the demerits accumulate to potential probation but it also
affect the member’s daily participation grade. For each demerit received the student will lose 20 points
off their weekly participation grade.
6. Any member who receives 3 or more demerits in one week, after the start of school, will be benched
from the following week’s performance during football season.
7. Any member who receives 3 or more demerits in one week during contest/spring season will be
removed from one contest/spring show routine.

A. Tardies/Absenteeism

1- not notifying directors of absence by 6:30 am

1- late to practice, 29 minutes or less late (3 grace)
2- excessive tardiness, more than 30 minutes (2 grace)
3- unexcused no show to practice or performance
*once your grace demerits have been used, these tardies will count toward probation

B. Infractions

1. Minor Infractions

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Minor demerit infractions will receive 1 demerit. Some examples of minor infractions are but not limited to: not
wearing correct practice/performance attire, turning paperwork/payments/supplies in late, failure to pick up
after one’s self, talking during practice, talking on the field, chewing gum during practice or performance,
wearing jewelry during practice or performance, having cell phone at non-designated times, eating or drinking in
uniform, not arriving to call time performance ready

2. Major Infractions
Major demerit infractions will receive multiple demerits for one infraction. Some examples of major infractions
are but not limited to:
Insubordination, acts unbecoming of a Markette, inappropriate language, inappropriate use of social media, use
of alcohol or drugs (dismissal), smoking or possessing tobacco at any school or Markette function (dismissal),
assigned to AEP (dismissal)

Article II
Demerit System - Dance and Social Officers

1-7 No penalty
demerits

8 demerits Demoted to line member Attend all practice/performances at a line

member
All officer privileges have been removed

11 Probation - sit out 6 performances Attend all practices/performances in full

demerits performance attire
NO performance privileges

15 Dismissal from team for the remainder of

demerits the school year

Article III
Merits

1. Merits will be earned through student volunteer hours, dance hours, mum hours, 9 weeks grade
averages, 9 week conduct marks, supporting other organizations at MHS and any other director
approved activity.

2. All active Markettes must have 100 merits at the time of the annual auditions to be eligible to audition
again for the upcoming school year.

3. All active Markettes interested in auditioning for an officer position must have accumulated 250 merits
to be eligible to audition.

Appendix B

Article I
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 Additional Rules and Regulations

1. If you have a pre-planned APPROVED absence, please send the directors a reminder email the night
before your absence.
2. All college visit absences must be approved a minimum of 2 weeks before the absence.
3. No college visit absences are allowed during the months of January and February.
4. If a member is absent the day of an audition for a specific dance they may forfeit the ability to audition
for that dance.
5. A member may be cut from a performance if they are absent from practice.
6. A student who participates in school activities (pep rallies, football games etc.) must be in attendance
for half of the school day (3 periods) the day the activity is scheduled.
7. If requesting a conference via email/phone you must let the directors know what you wish to meet
about.
8. Each Markette is expected to work a minimum of 2 mum hours.
9. If a Markette misses a performance and it is not an excused absence the following will result:
1. Sophomores and Juniors will not be eligible to audition for officer
2. Seniors will not be in veteran dance
*re-addition to missed performance routines is at the discretion of the director for any repeated routines
throughout the year.

Extenuating circumstances will be looked at on a case by case basis. Director discretion with administrative
approval.

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